Goan Coconut Milk Pilaf Recipes

GOAN COCONUT-MILK PILAF

Steps:

• Dry-roast the coconut in a small skillet over medium heat until fragrant, but just barely darker in color, 1 to 2 minutes. Cool and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the cinnamon, cloves and cardamom pods and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the onion (and ground cardamom, if using) and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Mix in rice, coconut milk, 1 * cups water and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover the pan and cook until all the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let rest for about 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish, mix in the coconut, vindaloo powder (or garam masala) and cilantro.

TOMATO AND COCONUT CHICKEN OVER SPICED RICE PILAF

Steps:

• For the rice: Soak the rice in 4 cups of cold water for 30 minutes.
• For the chicken: Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Arrange the chicken on a baking sheet in a single layer. Season all sides of the chicken with salt. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, use a pair of metal tongs to carefully add the pieces, skin-side down, to the oil. Do not crowd the skillet. Lower the heat to medium and cook until the skin is browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Flip the chicken and brown the other side, another 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer the chicken pieces to a clean baking sheet and set aside.
• In the same skillet, add the garlic and onions. Add the red pepper flakes and some salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic and onions turn light brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the coconut milk, tomatoes and bay leaves and bring to a simmer. Arrange the chicken pieces skin-side up in a single layer in the sauce. Pour any juices into the sauce as well. Lower the heat and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, 30 to 35 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. Taste for seasoning. Keep warm.
• To cook the rice: While the chicken is cooking, heat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• On a baking sheet, combine the cumin, fennel, cayenne and cinnamon stick. Lightly toast the spices in the oven, 1 to 2 minutes. Set aside.
• Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat and add the butter and onion. Season with salt and cook until the onion is translucent but not browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the spices. Drain the rice, reserving the soaking water. Stir in the rice and cook until you hear it crackling, 1 to 2 minutes. Gently stir in the reserved water. Season with salt and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cover and cook until the water has been absorbed and the rice is fluffy, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow the rice to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before "forking" it gently onto plates. Spoon the chicken and sauce over the rice and serve.

GOAN COCONUT PANCAKES

Steps:

• At least thirty minutes before you plan to cook the pancakes, place all the batter ingredients in an electric blender and blend until smooth.
• Transfer blender contents to a bowl and set aside to rest.
• In another bowl, mix all the ingredients for the filling together, and also set aside.
• When you are ready to cook the pancakes, brush a 7"/18cm crepe pan or non-stick skillet with a little oil, and set over medium heat.
• When nice and hot, pour in 4-5 tablespoons of the batter, and spread it in all directions by tilting the pan.
• Cook the pancake for a few minutes, by which time the bottom should have some brown spots and the edges can be lifted.
• Flip pancake to the other side and cook another minute.
• Remove from the skillet and start cooking the second pancake.
• While the second pancake is cooking, place 2-3 tablespoons of filling on the first pancake, squeeze lemon juice over the filling, then roll up.
• Keep warm in a shallow, covered dish, while cooking and filling the remaining pancakes according to this method.
• Ensure the cooked pancakes are placed in a single layer while they are being kept warm, not piled on top of each other.
• Serve to your appreciative guests.

GOAN COCONUT MILK PILAF

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the vindaloo masala and the coconut milk. Then dry-roast the coconut in a small skillet or tava over medium heat until fragrant, but just barely darker, 1 to 2 minutes.2. Heat the oil in medium nonstick saucepan over medium-high heat, add the cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom pods, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.3. Add the onion and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Then mix in the rice, coconut milk, water, and salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan (partially at first, until the foam subsides, then snugly), and cook until all the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Do not stir the rice while it cooks. Remove from heat and allow the rice to rest about 5 minutes. Then transfer to a serving platter, lightly mix in the roasted coconut, vindaloo powder (or garam masala), and cilantro, and serve.VARIATION: For a traditional, even richer flavor, make this recipe with only coconut milk--simply substitute more coconut milk for the water. A similar rice is also made in southern India, but they add 1/4 teaspoon turmeric and 3 to 5 dried red chili peppers along with the cinnamon and cloves.From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

COCONUT BASMATI PILAF

Steps:

• Rinse the rice in a strainer under cold water until water runs clear. Drain well and transfer to a large saucepan with 1 1/2 cups cold water, cardamom, ginger, cilantro, salt and coconut milk. Let soak for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
• Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Stir a few times to keep rice grains from clumping. Cook uncovered, rapidly boiling, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the surface is covered with steamy holes, about 6 minutes. Reduce heat as low as possible and cook, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove and discard the cilantro sprig, cardamom and ginger.

GOAN COCONUT CAKE (BAATH)

Steps:

• Line a 8-by-8-inch square cake pan with parchment paper; grease with butter, then set aside.
• Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl; in a large bowl, beat sugar, coconut oil, and butter on medium speed of a hand mixer until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition until smooth. Add half the coconut milk and cream of coconut, then half the dry ingredients, and beat until just combined; add in remaining coconut milk and cream of coconut, plus the rosewater, mixing well to combine. Add remaining dry ingredients and mix well; fold in shredded coconut, then pour batter evenly into prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap, then refrigerate overnight.
• The next day, heat oven to 350°. Unwrap cake, then bake, turning halfway through, until golden brown, about 90 minutes. Cool cake completely before cutting and serving.